July 24, 2008

Sailing aboard the Schooner Quinnipiack - Wed, July 30, 5PM to 10PM, meet at Derby 2nd Cong. Church, drivers needed. For Sea Base trip participants and their parents, this "3 hour tour" also has limited openings for other scouts interested in participating. We will be sailing from New Haven Harbor into Long Island Sound and will be learning about sailing knots & sail raising, navigation and sea life. All SeaBase scouts are expected to attend. All others should contact me if you are interested in participating. No cost for this trip due to a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

SeaBase scouts: Must turn in outstanding completed SeaBase medical forms and copies of insurance cards and make final payments on July 30.

We have a limited number of $75 camperships available for Week 4 andAdventure toEagle Week at Strang Scout Reservation taking place July 27-Aug 2 - Troop 3 will fund $75 towards any scout interested in signing up for this final week at summer camp. For A2E, Eagle required merit badges will be offered in addition to all of the fun program activities. Scouts below Star Rank can sign up for the regular merit badge program. Contact Ray Oppel rayo58@sbcglobal.net if you are interested. Adventure to Eagle info can be found here: http://www.housatonicbsa.org/Camping/2008/2008AdventureToEagleInformation.pdf

Summer concert concessions on the Derby Green continue every Tuesday night throughout the summer. Contact Sue Stankye sastankye@hotmail.com if you would like to participate in this fundraiser for summer camp '09 and '09 Canyon adventure.

Troop 3 Patrol Leader's Council '08-09 Calendar Planning will take place on Saturday, August 30. Place to be determined.

July 03, 2008

Our weeks of summer camping at Strang Scout Reservation begin this Sunday and I want to provide you with some last minute updates and information to ensure that we will all have a great time. Please read carefully as there are changes to previous years.

Please do not arrive until 3PM, you will not be checked in before that time. When you do arrive please arrive in your bathing suit so you can drop off your gear, which will be transported up to Mohawk for you, and you can proceed on to the Waterfront to take your swim classification test.

If you did not hand in your updated medical form or permission slip you will have to hand those in along with any medications.

The troop is purchasing our troop photo, so there is no need for you to purchase one.

There will be a family picnic ($6.50 per person) beginning at 5PM, for those families who would like to stay. You can pay for this during check-in.

Upon arrival to Mohawk campsite your SPL (Alec Hughes for week 1 and Tyler Stankye for week 2) will show you to your assigned tent and inform you who your patrol leader is for the week. Patrols will work together on daily tasks including campfire building, latrine duty, trail and campsite cleanup. Prizes will be awarded to the cleanest tent each day and the swamp tent will have garbage duty.

We have been asked to stress that you do not bring any food to the campsite or into your tent. Food will attract animals, including the local black bear.

Please be sure to bring bug netting and support poles, ties will be provided to secure the poles to the bunks.

Check the bulletin board in the camp site to ensure that your merit badge schedule is posted correctly. Notify your SPL if it is not correct.

The theme for camp is Greco-Roman Week so be sure to bring your toga and laurels for the toga party. Waterproof rain jackets and complete Class A uniforms are mandatory for your stay at camp. If you arrive without either of these you will need to make arrangements to obtain them.

Do bring a lock for your camp trunk. Also, be sure to bring paper and pens/pencils for your merit badge work. Merit badge books are available at the scout office, the trading post and the troop owns a limited number that will be available for borrowing. You will need merit badge books to earn the badges.

Think about what you need to complete your merit badges and be sure to pack appropriately. All merit badge requirements can be found online just by googling the merit badge name. Regarding specific badges and advancement:

BSA Lifeguard requirements have drastically changed and this is not possible to earn in only 1 week. You must be 15 years old to take and once you pass you are certified to serve as a life guard.

Lifesaving and Swimming merit badges require long sleeve button shirts with collars and non-jeans, non-sweatpants long pants for inflation.